VALENTINE'S DAY ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS

Robert T. Good, who won fifth place in the Valentine's Day contest, sits by the fire with his wife, Claire. (David E. Dale/Herald)

Support, love, energy keep going and going

Robert T. Good, Grove City, writing about his wife, Claire

WHEN I saw her in church I knew she was the one. It wasn't a whirl-wind affair, but we were married within months of our first date. Since then my love has only grown into such a deep commitment of love that I would give my life for my wife without a second thought.

Within the first year of our marriage, we moved across the state, away from all of our family and friends. We quickly became best friends. Now she is even more than my best friend; she is my confidant, companion and my world. I have completely bonded with my wife; we are a team. She knows my thoughts but loves me, and she understands me in a way that I could never put into words.

We have four children, two boys in their mid- to late-20s and two teen-age girls; it's almost like having two families. Still, my wife remains young and vibrant in my eyes. I don't know where the energy comes from that enables her to keep house, cook, wash, iron and keep our love-flame kindled. She always seems to have time for me, the children, our grandchild and anyone else who may need help. For most of our lives she has done all this while working a full-time job. She reminds me of the Energizer Bunny that just keeps going and going and going...

I've grown even more in love with her the past few years because of her strength. Her love has helped me through more than two years of deep depression. Through the various medications and the side effects she loved me. Through the times when I didn't know where I was or when all I could do was just cry she still loved me. Most of the time I was just a lump _ I didn't love and didn't want to be loved; I simply didn't care about anything. But she was always right there beside me. Without my wife I know that I would have taken my life because it wasn't worth much to me. It was mostly her love that brought me through those dark days. I don't know how she stayed so positive, but she continually reminded me of her commitment even in the times when I was completely unresponsive. My wife kept me going.

I am sure that my wife is heaven sent. Our union was meant to be and it will survive anything that comes our way. She is the most wonderful joy that any man could desire in a mate.

She is my all and truly my better half. Without my wife, I would surely be alone and lost for the rest of my days on this earth.